On Thursday, the Apex Court adjourned by two weeks hearing on the bail plea of advocate Surendra Gadling & activist Jyoti Jagtap arrested in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case.

A bench of Justice M M Sundresh & Justice Rajesh Bindal also deferred hearing on the petition filed by the National Investigation Agency challenging the bail granted to activist Mahesh Raut.

He was given bail by the High Court of Bombay but the order was stayed after the NIA sought stay on the verdict to challenge it before the Supreme Court.

Gadling was accused of providing aid to the Maoists & allegedly conspiring with various co-accused, including the ones absconding in the case.

He was booked under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, & the IPC & the prosecution claimed Gadling provided secret information about government activities & maps of certain areas to underground Maoist rebels.

He reportedly asked Maoists to oppose the operation of Surjagarh mines, & instigated several locals to join the movement.

Gadling is also involved in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case relating to the alleged provocative speeches delivered at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017. The police claimed the speeches triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in Pune district.

The HC had said Jagtap was an active member of the Kabir Kala Manch group, which during its stage play at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017 gave not only aggressive, but highly provocative slogans.

"We are of the considered opinion that there are reasonable grounds for believing the allegations or accusations of the NIA against the appellant having conspired, attempted, advocated & abetted the commission of a terrorist act as prima facie true," the Court had said.

According to the NIA, the KKM is a front organisation of the Communist Party of India.

The HC had dismissed the appeal filed by the activist-cum-singer challenging a February 2022 order of a special court refusing her bail.

The 2017 Elgar Parishad conclave was held at Shaniwarwada, an 18th-century palace-fort located in the heart of Pune city. 

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